Animal Kingdom Animals

[chwilk]

Our family has never done any of the animal exhibits in AK except for the safari. When making my touring plan, I'm wondering if we are missing out. Should we do the maharaja jungle trek, pangani forest trail, conservation station, or flights of wonder? This trip will include me, DM, DD3, and DS9. My DD would probably be the most interested and could possibly be asleep by the time we made it there. We only have 1 day in AK, as is usually the case, so I guess I just figure we can see animals much closer to home. Any thoughts?

 

[cbg1027]

Do them!!!! I think they are some of the best attractions in the park! It's not just the animals....the landscaping and decoration are so fabulous...you really feel like you're in real Indian and African Jungles. And you can get really close to some of the animals. The gorillas seem to like to hang out right up against the glass...so you're only a few inches away from them! I forget if it's one of both of them that have a bird aviary...but you walk in the aviary and the birds are just right there walking around your feet or sitting on a branch next to your head. Sometimes a handler comes out will let people feed them.

 

[Wall-E1]

Our family has never done any of the animal exhibits in AK except for the safari. When making my touring plan, I'm wondering if we are missing out. Should we do the maharaja jungle trek, pangani forest trail, conservation station, or flights of wonder? This trip will include me, DM, DD3, and DS9. My DD would probably be the most interested and could possibly be asleep by the time we made it there. We only have 1 day in AK, as is usually the case, so I guess I just figure we can see animals much closer to home. Any thoughts?

All four could be done in one day, probably in the space of two hours. Honestly, I enjoy them all and would not cut any of them out. You will still have time for all the rides if you are spending a full day there.

 

[chwilk]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'm thinking I might just follow the UG touring plan so I can get these in- we might even cut out the Lion King show just b/c we've seen it so many times (it's still one of my favorites).

 

[TillyMarigold]

The best are the trails in the Oasis and around the Tree of Life. If nothing else, go down the path behind the tattoo cart across from the baby-care center and end next to the lemurs (by the entrance to ITTBAB). Oh and the otters! They're across from the entrance to Camp Minnie Mickey.

I don't get how people can say "Why go to the Animal Kingdom when we could go to the zoo at home?" Would you say "Why go to Disney World when we could just go to Six Flags?"

 

[RustManFan]

AK is amazing and can definitely be a full day experience. We thoroughly check out the carvings on the Tree of Life as well as take our time on the trek and trail. The shows are marvelous too!! We could care less about the thrill rides...

 

[marie1203]

I think is worth it, but if you been to a zoo is very similar so if you are short on time just pick your favorite ones.

 

[OrangeCat04]

Flights of Wonder is an amazing show. We randomly checked it out one day, when we were waiting to go eat lunch and were too early... and LOVED it!!! Now we NEVER miss it when we go to Disney. Highly recommended !

 

[Redbudlover]

I can never get everything I love to do there in one day done! Like the OP said - if Six Flags was closer.... Anyone who loves the theming of Disney has to fall in love with AK. The whole place is one big theme. Detail by detail. From the prayer flags to the animal tracks in the sidewalk to Harambe. The Animal trails each have distincive theming along the walk to see the animals. Examine the incredible ruins and the paintings on the decrepit walls. I mean, I love HM in the MK for its theming - like POC. Well to me AK's whole park is like that. Definitely do the trails. And take them slowly. Flights of Wonder is a very very funny and interesting show. Have a beer at Dawa Bar and watch the drummers and dancers perform. Spend a few minutes - or longer - really looking at the tyrannasaurus rex - Sue - in Dinoland. Watch the otters play. Try to find as many birds and identify they as you can in ten minutes! Beat on the drums with your kids. Don't forget breakfast at Tusker House!

 

[Missytara]

All wonderful exhibits; when I took my mom, I think we spent almost an hour just at the Conservation Station - she loved it.

On the two trails, there is a surprise at every turn. I was lucky enough to get a shot of one of the gorillas last year, just as he turned his head and looked right into my camera. Also the aquarium is awesome. Over on the tiger side, I could sit for hours and watch them romp and play and sleep. I have four cats at home, so they remind me of them every time I go.

And Flights of Wonder is just awesome too; a good time to sit and relax!

Enjoy.....

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Our family has never done any of the animal exhibits in AK except for the safari. When making my touring plan, I'm wondering if we are missing out. Should we do the maharaja jungle trek, pangani forest trail, conservation station, or flights of wonder? This trip will include me, DM, DD3, and DS9. My DD would probably be the most interested and could possibly be asleep by the time we made it there. We only have 1 day in AK, as is usually the case, so I guess I just figure we can see animals much closer to home. Any thoughts?

I'd definitely do the Maharaja Jungle Trek and Pangani Forest Trail.

DD9 and I did conservation station and she was bored so I'd say you could skip that. We went to see Pocohontas who was scheduled to be there when we went but she wasn't there so that may be why DD9 didn't like it.

I really like Flights of Wonder but everyone else in the family doesn't so we usually skip that too.

 

[skier_pete]

You go to AK and don't see the animals? Time to correct that! The trails are beautiful and the animal displays are fantastic. We love the tigers on the Jungle Trek.

If you want to skip one thing, skip Conservation Station - the train ride both ways easily eats up 40 minutes, and while the info there is interesting, it is probably the most standard "zoo-like" thing at AK. (Unless you get there early and they are doing some vet stuff. The first time we ever went there, they had a Lion on the table and were giving it a physical. THAT was WAY COOL. These vet visits are usually early (10 AM) morning.

SkierPete

 

[scrappinmom]

I was just like you! This past March we took our 10th trip to WDW, My girls & I are big ride fans, so we spend a lot time riding (& re-riding) the rides...this past trip we had 16 days at WDW (minus one day for Discovery Cove)...we spent 2 full days at AK. One day we did all the rides and one day we did all the stuff we never have time to do...Maharaja Jungle Trek and Pangani Forest Trail are 2 of the best attractions ever! I can't believe I've missed them so many times, assuming..."We live in Chicago, we have a great zoo here"....Totally NOT even close! My teen and my 9 year old LOVED all the other attractions...We had never seen FLights of Wonder because we're always seeing Lion King or Nemo...this past trip we skipped Lion King and saw FLights of Wonder...it's really an awesome show.

My advice is to try to fit at least some of it in. I know most folks see AK as a half day park. We spent 2 full (open till close) days there and were never bored for a minute!

 

[SydneyFalco]

If you do the Kil. Safari, then I'd do the Maharaja Trek before Pangani I may be wrong or misremembering, but on Maharaja one you'll see different animals than what the safari showed.

Flights Of Wonder is a neat show, it's out of the heat and its off your feat, so how can you go wrong? With an entire day alotted, I don't see why doing some of the animal stuff is out of the question. Personally, I prefer the animals to the shows, though not the rides.

Admittedly, though, I'm neither 3 nor 9 and I don't live near a zoo.

 

[PatsMom]

We don't always do Conservation Station but we try to allot time for the Jungle Trek and Pangani Forest. Both are absolutely amazing.

And Flights of Wonder is a great show. We just about have the script memorized!

 

[kaligal]

Animal Kingdom is a zoo and has some of the best zoological stuff around...but it is also a theme park. Only you can decide how much of each you'd like to incorporate into your plans.

If you're there for rides, movies and shows, you can skip the walking trails. Whatever floats your boat!

Me, personally, I could watch the bats all day long. And every trip I hope that THIS TIME the kimodo dragon will move. He never does, lol. I like birds and very much enjoy the bird show but nobody else I know IRL does. And if I had to suggest one, I'd never suggest skipping FOTLK for the bird show.

Of all the stuff you named, I'd skip the Rafiki thing or Conservation Station or whatever it is called now.

 

[SydneyFalco]

Of all the stuff you named, I'd skip the Rafiki thing or Conservation Station or whatever it is called now.

According to my BIL, who got "stuck" there and bored out of his mind, it's definitely the one sizeable section of all the parks that's needs reimagining. From the indications on this thread, I don't think anybody would complain if it got boarded up for half a year.

 

[perfectparanoia]

The trails are great and rarely busy.

As for conservation station, there is a small petting zoo there which might be really enjoyable for your three year old (or my 30 year old husband). Also, very educational if the right CMs are around. We like it but only tend to go up there if we have time for two AK days (which is pretty frequent since I love AK).

 

[ZoZo]

I definitely recommend Flights of Wonder - it's a great bird show!

I just got back from a trip 10 days ago, and also really enjoyed Conservation Station. The keepers to "close encounters" with animals (bring them out on a small stage and talk about them) as well as bringing them out inside the building and letting you touch them. You can also learn about animal diets, watch veterinary procedures, etc.

I really like to do all of the "animal stuff" at AK - I always go on the safari ride and EE, too, but think the animal exhibits are worth a look.

 

[dsneygirl]

Last trip we did the Jungle Trek and spent quite a while in the bird area. There are charts with all the different species and it was a game to see who could spot a bird first and then find it on the chart and its name. There are some really beautiful birds.

To me these are "stop and smell the roses" attractions. Look at the scenery, the architecture and great details in theming. It also helps that our DS is animal crazy now.